Music

SPARKcon 2019 SPARKcon, the totally-weird, totally-awesome creativity festival that takes over downtown Raleigh each Sept., is truly a grassroots event. The “for the people, by the people” approach uses an open-source planning process that allows more than 2,000 artists to be involved each year. Dance, fashion, music, film, food—if you can name it, you can find an event for it at the festival that spans nearly 15 city blocks. The festival has taken big steps to make it even more...

Wednesday: SLT Grand Opening Stop by the studio and take a class for some free swag, food, and goodies. The founder, Amanda Freeman, will also be down here to teach some classes. Signup for the newsletter to get these updates at sltnyc.com or follow us on instagram @sltnyc. Don’t forget to use the promo code “CAMERON VILLAGE” for half off your first class. Wednesday – Friday, 6 am – 7:30 pm; 445 Daniels St, Raleigh, NC 27605 Paint & Punchlines This paint night...

38th Annual Raleigh Greek Festival The Holy Trinito Othodox Church will host the 38th Annual Raleigh Greek Festival at the North Carolina State Fairground’s Jim Graham Building. Taste handmade, authentic Greek food prepared by the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church family using recipes handed down for generations. Hear live Greek music and see traditional folk dances. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Habitat for Humanity of Wake County. $3, $2/Seniors and ages 13-18, free/under 13; Friday, 5 –...

Thursday: Hopscotch Music Festival These three days are filled with nearly 150 bands, 12 venues in downtown Raleigh, and 50 totally-free day parties. The acts—and genres—are as wide ranging as the venues they play in. Headlining acts in recent years have included Angel Olsen, Big Boi, Solange, Run The Jewels, Margo Price, The Flaming Lips and more. $35 – $225; Thursday – Saturday; Various locations around Downtown Raleigh...

Packapalooza Packapalooza is an all-day block party and street festival capping off Wolfpack Welcome Week at the start of the academic year. Celebrate in N.C. State style, including great music, activities throughout the day and fun entertainment for the whole family. You can expect over 300 vendor booths and over 40 sponsoring organizations. Free; Saturday, 2 – 10 pm; West Raleigh/N.C. State Univ/PNC Arena 43rd Annual Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival Come join us at the 43rd Annual Lazy Daze...

Summer Daze Music Festival Vol. 2 Celebrate summer at the second annual Summer Daze Music Festival at Coastal Credit Union Midtown Park in North Hills, a celebration of music, local businesses, culture and, of course, summertime vibes. Free; Saturday, noon – 9 pm; 4011 Cardinal at North Hills St, Raleigh, NC 27607 Play Moore Music Festival The Play Moore Music Festival is a celebration of Hip-Hop culture through music and dance on Aug. 17 from 3 to 9 p.m. This year’s festival will turn...

MRG30 Festival Merge Records is turning 30 this year! Every five years, they celebrate their birthday with a multi-day music festival, and this summer’s event—which they’ve dubbed MRG30—is shaping up to be one of the best ever! MRG30 will take place July 24–27, 2019, in Carrboro and Durham, NC. The 4-day festival will celebrate the best of Merge, both present and future, by featuring an amazing lineup of more than 30 bands. Artists performing on Friday: A Giant Dog, The...

Taste of Soul NC The Organizer of NC Sugar Rush and the Owner of Jay’s Italian Ice have come together to bring you the 2nd Annual Taste of Soul NC. There will be food trucks, a DJ and tables complete with playing cards for games of Spades and more. Already confirmed to be there are Tropical Delight Smoothies, Chez Moi and Jay’s Italian Ice. Sunday, 1 – 5 pm; 502 Foster St, Durham, NC 27701 National Ice Cream Day a Maple View...

Destination SunFest Enjoy the Ferris wheel, carousel, food + drinks, live entertainment, history hayride tours along with art, craft and other fun activities for kids and adults! Destination SunFest is a celebration of the completion of the Master Plan and welcome party for the entire community to visit the sunflowers, connect with the land and become part of the next phase of Dorothea Dix Park! Registration is not required, but it does help them to know how many guests to expect. Free; Saturday, 2 –...

NC Symphony Summerfest 2019: Independence Day Celebration A Triangle tradition! Join in for a salute to the red, white, and blue as we honor the birthday of the U.S.A. with patriotic favorites, high-spirited classics, and a fireworks display over Symphony Lake. Thursday, 7:30 pm; 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary, NC 27518 40th Annual Festival for the Eno Stay cool on banks of the river this Independence Day weekend at the Festival for the Eno. More than 80 bands on five stages...